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Lutherans Restoring Creation logo: a Luther rose formed from a globe with a cross in a heart at its center, beside the words Lutherans Restoring Creation

Tag: Adult Forum and Bible Study

“Our Kairos Moment:” An ELCA Climate Care Study Guide

Our Kairos Moment. A Study Guide on Earth's Climate Crisis.

In spring of 2024, the ELCA released a study guide to dive deeper into the Climate Care Social Statement called “Our Kairos Moment.” This is a four-session study guide for small groups and is available for Earth Day – or any day – to inspire learning and action. It uses videos, storytelling, bible studies, and […]

Hosting a Discussion with a Group:

Group of people seated around tables in small-group discussion at a workshop

Are you ready to welcome people from your church +/or community to discuss our call to Care for Creation? You are not alone: reach out to people on our map that may be near you and see if they can offer help. However… the true experts are all around you already. Your community needs to be […]

Parable of the Sower (1993)

Book cover for Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia E. Butler’s dystopian tale offers a wealth to the imagination for any Bible Study/Creation Care team to wrestle with.  Even though she wrote this in 1993, the prophetic warnings are more vivid during the COVID/Climate Chaos era. (Read Slate article here.)  From amazon’s post: “This first Earthseed novel by ground-breaking writer Octavia E. Butler […]

Saving Us, Katharine Hayhoe

Book cover for Saving Us by Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist's case for hope and healing

We have been grateful for the shared knowledge and experience shared by climate scientist and fellow person of faith, Katharine Hayhoe.  Her voice has been a part of many Lutherans Restoring Creation trainings (Climate Weirding series is especially useful, like: If I just explain the facts, they’ll get it right?”) Now, we recommend her newest […]

Who Are the People in your “Neighborhood”?

A pastor in a stole and children presenting a fabric banner in a U.S. Senate office

Connections Call conversation from October 26, 2021 about all the people in our web of creation care. Listen in to find out more about the host of helpers among us: Fellow Green Shepherds Creation Care Ambassadors Creation Care Coaches Community Organizers as trained via Organizing for Mission network Our past two Connections Calls have highlighted […]

A Spectrum of Tools to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Call-9/28/21)

A crowd of people crossing a busy city street, motion-blurred

What tools can churches and individual members bring to the table to achieve 50% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030? See Chat Log HERE Also see materials and ideas shared during the August 17th Connections Call (click here). Thanks to our speakers: Jim Martin-Schramm —  Jim’s Slide Deck  Jonathan Barker Lisa Brenskelle NEXT STEPS: […]

Intro Webinar for Congregations Making a Covenant with Creation

“Creation Care” is more than just “being green.”  Integrating a lens of eco-justice is not only critical in order to be church in the world, it brings joy to your community.  Please share this introduction video with those in your congregation who want to know how and why this ministry can be a life-giving asset, […]

Just Transitions Conversation (March 2021)

Portrait of Ruth Ivory-Moore wearing a blue blazer

Listen in to our discussion with Ruth Ivory-Moore, ELCA’s Program Director, Environment and Corporate Social Responsibility Focus: Just Transitions What does this term mean? How do we discuss these issues in love and faith and move forward together? Check out this resource out of the Advocacy Office: “Just Transition to a Sustainable Future” Read more about […]

How do you bring up climate change in church?

Ripples spreading across calm water among floating ice at dusk

There are so many examples from our brothers and sisters across the nation sharing exciting and authentic ways of conversing about climate and making ripples of action as church in the world: Creation Care Ambassadors are ready across the country to offer digital workshops to your church community about what climate has to do with […]

2016 Churchwide Assembly Passes Memorial To Move Towards A Responsible Energy Future

On August 13, 2016, after days of conversation, discernment, and prayer, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly voted to pass the memorial Toward a Responsible Energy Future. A grassroots divestment coalition had brought together several synod memorials, working through the proper parliamentary process to bring an amended version to the floor for a vote. 2016 Churchwide Assembly […]

50 Covenants for 50 Years of Earth Day

A family with several children posing in a community garden with rakes and shovels

Some Lutherans Restoring Creation have decided to take on a challenge of inviting at least 50 Congregations in their synod to make a Covenant with Creation in honor of Earth Day turning 50! Want to take take the challenge? Follow these steps below and let us know how it goes! Print out this invitation letter […]

Ways to Integrate Creation Care in your Lenten Practices

LENTEN FAST FOR EARTH 2026 Lent is a time of drawing closer to God. One way to do so is to embrace our role as both "stewards of Creation" and a beloved part of God's Creation! This fast includes actions each day that help us right our relationship with Creation. Each day of the week is themed to help you engage in a variety of ways. May doing so draw you closer to God and God's beautiful Creation! *Days with asterisks correlate with a resource on the last page.* + SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SABBATH SUNDAYS "The Lord replied My Presence will ao with vou, and / will givě you rest."" -Exodus 33:14 Much of our climate problem in connected to our hyper- consumption and need to extract. On Sundays, we will prioritize simplicity, rest and love of Creation. These days restore us for what comes ahead. "MAKE 'EM HEAR YOU" MONDAYS "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairv; defend the riahts of t the poor and needy. Proverbs 37.8-9 What we do for Creation is strengthened by policy that supports it. We will use Mondays to raise our voice and faithfully advocate for God's vision of Shalom. "TRY IT" TUESDAYS "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceivé it? 1 am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV On Tuesdays we focus on actións that limit our harm and may be a bit uncomfortable or new. We will try it out with an open mind and heart. WASTELESS WEDNESDAYS Keep vour life free from love of monev, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "l will never leave you nor forsake vou. Hebrews 13:5 On Wednesdays, we focus on reducing excess waste or resources, and energy. We reduce ur need and reinvest the byproducts--instead of mindlessly disregarding "THINK BIGGER" THURSDAYS "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and aood works, not neglecting to meet togefher, as is the habit of some but encouraging one another.. Hebrews 10:24-25 On Thursdays, we orient ourselves towards community and systems of change. Our individual actions annot chand uch. buttodethe our impact is hugel FOOD SYSTEM FRIDAYS "In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of plenty and hunger, facinabundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 Food is an area where households can make the greatest impact in reducing emissions. On ridays, we explor our place in thi system and reduce ' SUSTAINABLE HABITS SATURDAYS "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let vour speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."- Colossians 4:5 On Saturdays, we do the work of analyzing and planning our work in the week, being proactiv bout our habits remove one light bulb in your home and live without it during Lent as a reminder of your Carbon Fast. 19 Find a organization for Creation Care near you. Replace one action on this calendar with an event of theirs. 20 Prioritize a fair-trade coffee, tea or snack today. Identify your 21 Climate Superpower(s) on jointheshift.earth/ guide/ Review the upcoming Lenten actions and replace one with the highest-impact action from the quiz. Rest from despair. 22: Take time today to remember why you fight for Creation. Imagine, maybe using art or writing, the future world where "we get it right." 23; Download "5 calls app." It will help you make advocacy calls on upcoming Mondays. Dont use ChatGPT. 24 Gemini, or other "generative Al' today. These sytems can use around 33 times more energy to complete a task than task-specific software would. 25 To begin your fast, remove one light bulb in your home and live without it during Lent as a reminder of your Carbon Fast. Over 40% of the us 26 carbon footprint is from the making of, moving, & disposing of single-use items. Commit to using glassware & cloth napkins/towels at home. 27: Plan for a conversation with someone you think might be interested in doing more for Earth with you. 28 Put your food scraps to use! Try composting-even in winter!

During the season of Lent (or any other time of introspection), share these resources with your Bible Study group, Worship committee, Youth Group, Church Council or just for your own personal Lenten journey: Print out +/or share day-to-day tools: Check out the updated 2026 Lenten Fast for Earth Calendar Lenten Toolkit by Creation Justice Ministries […]

Connections Call: Gifts of restoration for YOU too!

Purple crocus shoots emerging through the snow

On a recent Connections Call we asked folks to share some readings and resources that give them strength. Here are some links and downloads per their suggestions. (To listen to the call, just click here.) Thanks to all the Green Shepherds on the call and bless your work! We Were Made for These Times, Essay […]

Creation Care Ambassador Program

Blessed Tomorrow logo with colorful hands and the tagline "Caring for Creation Today"

Since 2020 ELCA and ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow have trained over 300 members to reach out to their faith community in order to activate congregations to work towards climate solutions in their areas.  There are dozens of certified Ambassadors ready to share their new skills and resources with your church and community.  All “Certified Ambassadors” who […]

Light for Madrid – A Devotional

The United Nations flag waving against a blue sky

Thanks to the work of Green Shepherd, Lisa Brenskelle,  there is a way for your congregation to hold a gathering many miles away in prayer.  As the U.N. Climate Conference met in Madrid (Dec. 2-13, 2019) prayers were sent to support their efforts by bringing the conversation into churches in a prayerful way. Consider bringing […]

So We Can Restore Creation

"So We Can Restore Creation" graphic with photos of wind turbines, a gardener, and sunlight through a tree canopy

While caring for the environment can feel overwhelming, it’s when we stand together, each doing our part, that we find hope, gain strength, and make a difference. Find a tool below to help celebrate God’s gifts to us! Download (Click Here) the information shared from Portico and Lutherans Restoring Creation at Churchwide Assembly 2019 to […]

YOUTH: How can YOUR decisions impact your global neighbor?

A group of teenagers linking hands together at an indoor gathering

While the following pledge form was originally poised to the hundreds of Lutheran youth attending the 2018 Gathering in Houston, these questions help people of any age recognize their impact and how many tools their are to make changes of habit that offer fulfilling prayerful actions to every step of their day.  To put the […]